Improvement in scaffolds



FFIGE.

LEVI W. SWAFFORD, OF VIGKSBURG, MISS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, JAMES S. HORAN, AND CHARLES F. TAFFE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SCAFFOLDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 167,588, dated September 7, 1875; application filed July 30, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI W. SwAFFoRD, of Vicksburg, in the county of Warren and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in scaffolds; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to portable adjustable scafl'olds; and consists in a peculiar system and arrangement of supports and braces, provided with clamping-screws adapted to be placed and secured in position one to the other,

to form a light, strong scaffold for any purpose, the parts all being separate and removable, and adapted to be placed in many difieient positions or postures to accommodate different requirements, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the scaffold complete, in position ready for use; Fig. 2, a detached view of one of the supporting posts or uprights; Fig. 3, detached views of the cross-braces, Fig. 4, detached views of the floor-braces; Fig. 5, a detached view of the ceiling-brace.

The end supporting-post consists of a piece of timber, A, of any desired or appropriate length and dimensions, secured to a standard, 0, and vertically slotted its entire length by a tapering opening, B. D is a metallic yoke or band, encompassing the post A, provided at one end with a set-screw, E, the end of which is provided with a plate, F. G is the cross-brace"cutaway at G, and provided at each end with metallic plates H and setscrew I, with protection-plate t. J is the floor-brace, provided at one end with jaws or plates and set-screw similar to those on brace G, and at the other end with a bent perforated plate, J. K is the pin for operating the set-screws, which are provided with holes for this purpose. A similar pin is used to secure the piece J to the floor or ground. L is the ceiling-brace, slotted and constructed similar to the posts A, and provided with the clamp and set-screw D E.

The parts are placed and secured in position in the following manner: The posts A are placed in any desired or proper position. A timber, M, Fig. l, of any desired length, is then placed in the slot B, and resting on the clamp D. These clamps are then slid along or adjusted so as to raise the flooring-timberlM of the scaifold any desired height, and then firmly secured by set-screws, E. The braces G are then placed in position crossing each other, with the cut-away portions facing each other, to allow a direct passage of each one across the other. The top ends of these braces are clamped and secured to the timber M, and the bottom end to opposite sides of the slot-ted post A, as shown in Fig. l. J are then placed in position by clamping at one end to the posts A, and extending diagonally outward, are secured to the floor or ground by a pin, K, passing through the bent plate J. Thus a simple, light, strong scaffolding is secured, adapted for use in many different capacities, and susceptible of being easily and quickly put together or knocked down when desired.

The different parts entering into my scaffold may be made of any desired or appropriate length, size, or material, as may be found necessary, desirable, or appropriate.

When the scaffolding is designed for use out of windows, 8210., where all the weight is on one side of both uprights, the ceiling-brace is placed in position, as shown in Fig. 1, on the opposite end of the scaffold from the window. The brace is placed over the end of the timber M, and raised up until the head L comes against the ceiling. It is then firmly secured by the clamp D resting upon the timber M, and clamping it by set screw E. Thus the scaffold is prevented from tipping at the inside end. By the provision of the protect- The floor-braces top, thus making a more permanent support for the timber.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an adjustable portable scaffold, the supporting post or upright, consisting of timher A, secured to a standard, 0, and slotted its entire length by a tapering or Wedgeshaped opening, B, and clamp D E F, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an adjustable portable scaffold, the braces G cut away at G, and provided at each end with jaws or plates H and clamping-screw I t, as and for the purposes described.

3. In combination with the slotted posts perforated angle-plate, J, as and for the purposes described.

4. In combination with the timber M, the

ceiling-brace L and clamp D E, as and for the.

purposes described.

5. The adjustable portable scaffold, composed of slotted posts A B G, cross-braces Gr, floor-braces J J, timber M, and clamping devices D E F, and with or without the ceilingbrace L L, all constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

LEVI W. SWAFFORD.

Witnesses:

THOS. C. MORRIS, ALONZO R. KEZER. 

